Picture this: 7am on a Wednesday morning. I'm outside having a vape and checking out Facebook. I come across the new single by Konarucchi entitled They Follow, which instantly captures my attention. After doing some research, I realise that Konarucchi lives in the same area as me, Wainuiomata. I simply had to listen to it again.
They Follow is inspired by alternative/progressive rock, taking influences from bands such as Muse, Porcupine Tree and The Pineapple Thief. It's about someone reaching out for help because the bad thoughts and feelings are getting overwhelming, and they do not know what's wrong or how they can fix it. It is the second single from Konarucchi's debut EP Stuck in Daydreams.
They Follow automatically draws me in with its simple yet melodic intro of drums by Adam McDonald. The harmonic voice of Konarucchi then transcends the track into a slightly heavier sound which is not too extreme. It really does feel like a cry for help due to being overwhelmed, while searching for the answers which cannot be found. It also speaks volumes about some of the side-effects of worrying or overthinking too much.
This is easily the kind of track you will want to listen to when you are struggling, and I am sure a lot of people out there will find it relatable. They Follow is also an easy song to listen to, and although the lyrics hint at loneliness, the music will make you feel anything but lonely.
Overall, this is a fantastic track. It's full of raw emotion, and these are the songs that I personally believe are the best. Konarucchi puts himself out on the line in an attempt to get his message out there, and that itself is admirable. I cannot wait to see what Konarucchi's next release is.
Konarucchi is a multi-genre solo artist from a small town in New Zealand called Wainuiomata. He likes to experiment with many different styles of music, without focusing on how they will fit together, because he believes that cohesion in music comes from the artist rather than the genre. This idea has a clear influence in the music he creates, and is strongly apparent in his debut EP Stuck in Daydreams. The EP has many different influences, ranging from Jazz to Rock to Alternative to Electronic to Metal, which work harmoniously together to create an amalgamation of this raw emotional silliness he calls an EP.
Konarucchi mostly performs solo acoustic or with his alt pop-rock band Pale Lady, but has been practicing with a backing band of honed musicians in order to play the full versions of the songs from this EP.